Not that! Get your mind out of the gutter.
I want to write about Valentine's Day, that most maligned holiday. I know that as a committed cynic, I'm supposed to hate Valentine's Day. It's a greeting card company holiday designed to make us buy chocolate! It's cheesy! It's just on the calendar to support the florists!
All of that may be true, but that doesn't stop me from loving Valentine's Day. You know why? Because when I was growing up, it was never presented as a holiday exclusively for romantic love. My parents always made a big deal out of Valentine's Day. We had presents waiting for us at the breakfast table and special heart-shaped eggs and "I HEART YOU" made out of eggs, ham, and toast. Even during those years when it seemed like every other female on earth was getting roses from a boyfriend--and there were many of those years--I knew that there was more to love than flowers. Love from family matters, too.
That's why both of my kids will get up on Sunday to find presents at their plates. Because there are times in everyone's life when romantic love isn't happening, and before that becomes a Big Deal, I want my kids to know that their lives are meaningful even without chocolates from a special someone.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. And remember that love is love. And love is good.
